生平

早年事迹

因为父亲荀肸早死，荀勖惟有依靠舅父生活。荀勖幼年聪慧，十多岁就能写文章，长大后博学，通晓从政之事。最初任大将军曹爽的掾（秘书），迁中书通事郎。正始十年（249年），曹爽因被指控谋反而被杀，当时曹爽的门生和旧部属都无人敢吊唁，唯独荀勖只身前往致哀，大家才跟去。后转任安阳县令，因对当地人留下恩德，在荀勖转任骠骑从事中郎时，为荀勖立祠。后又迁任廷尉正，参大将军司马昭军事，获赐爵关内侯。后改任大将军从事中郎，领记室。

忠于晋王

景元四年（263年），有言刚刚攻灭蜀汉的锺会谋反，但当时尚未有确实证据，司马昭因为一向对锺会不薄，信任锺会而未相信。但荀勖却认为锺会的性格可能令他忘记恩义，做出谋反行为，劝司马昭早作准备。司马昭于是出镇长安，并派贾充领兵到汉中。此时主簿郭奕和参军王深认为荀勖与锺会家族有亲戚关系（荀勖是钟会堂甥），而且亦是由锺会家族养大，劝司马昭罢免他，但司马昭对他十分信任，仍然让荀勖与他同车，对待没有改变。而因荀勖在伐蜀之前曾建议任用卫瓘为监军，而在锺会叛乱后，有赖卫瓘稳定当地局势，于是在次年叛乱平息后，荀勖与裴秀、羊祜等人共掌机密。同年司马昭进封晋王，荀勖官拜侍中、封安阳子。咸熙二年（265年），司马炎受魏元帝禅让为帝，荀勖改封济北郡侯原封济北郡公，但荀勖辞让。，官拜中书监、加侍中，领著作，与贾充共定律令。

靠拢贾充

荀勖与冯紞、杨珧等人在朝中依附著司马炎的宠臣贾充，与任恺、庾纯、和峤等正直官员有朋党之争。泰始七年（271年），任恺趁鲜卑秃发树机能侵扰秦州和雍州，令司马炎大为忧虑的机会，向司马炎建议让一个有威望和智谋的重臣前去镇抚边族，并首推贾充。在庾纯支持下，司马炎于是任命他加都督秦凉二州诸军事，并出镇长安。荀勖知后即和冯紞说：「贾充一旦出镇长安，我们就会失势。现在太子（司马衷）还未娶妃，若果让贾充的女儿任为太子妃，贾充就自然不用出镇了。」冯紞听到计划后无异议；后荀勖又将计划告诉担忧中的贾充。荀勖和冯紞于是向司马炎说贾充的女儿贾南风「才色绝世，若纳东宫，必能辅助君子，有《关睢》后妃之德。」加上皇后杨艳的极力推荐，司马炎最终都为司马衷娶了贾南风。贾充亦得以留任。当时荀勖这种将性格嫉妒、相貌丑陋、肤色黑并短小的贾南风说成贤慧又绝美的行为令朝中正直的官员所不齿，于是被讥为佞媚之徒。后荀勖进位光禄大夫，后领秘书监，又设立教授书法的博士，由他们教学弟子，主要教授锺繇、胡昭的书法。

咸宁五年（279年），益州刺史王浚请求征伐东吴，荀勖与贾充等人极力劝止，认为不能取胜，但司马炎不听，但其后却一举攻灭东吴。战后以专典诏命有功，封一子为亭侯，赐绢一千匹。荀勖多次议论政策事项，司马炎大多都同意，于是在太康年间下诏称许荀勖，并任命荀勖为光禄大夫、仪同三司、开府，守中书监、侍中。

司马炎早已知道太子司马衷昏庸儒弱，恐怕这样下去接管天下会令西晋大乱，于是派荀勖和和峤去观察司马衷。回来报告时，荀勖大赞司马衷有德行，但和峤则说司马衷仍是老样子。后贾南风用戟掷打怀有司马衷身孕的妃妾，令她们流产；司马炎大怒，要废掉她，荀勖和冯紞又奋力营救，令贾南风免于被废。

改掌尚书

后来荀勖由领中书监改领尚书令。荀勖因任中书监己很久，专管机要之事，现在改任尚书令，像是被削夺了权力，十分不高兴。任尚书令时，对令史以下的人作出审核，凡见有人文法上有问题，或不能决断处理事情的疑点，都一律革职。司马炎对此却大为赏识，并以东汉末年的荀彧和荀攸与他比较，称荀勖有二人的长处。在职约一个月后，以母亲逝世为由辞职，但司马炎不许，并命他奉诏视职。

太康十年（289年）十一月，荀勖逝世，获追赠司徒，又赐棺材钱帛，而且派兼御史持节丧。諡成侯。

其他成就

• 荀勖通晓音乐，曾带领著作郎刘恭依《周礼》仿制古尺，然后依古尺铸造铜律吕，用以校正音律。亦曾依照典制，按十二律制造了十二支笛，音调相应，以正音律。

• 荀勖任中书监时，曾与中书令张华依刘向、刘歆《别录》，整理西晋宫廷藏书。咸宁五年（279年），汲郡（今河南汲县）古墓中发现的古文简牍文献，由荀勖等人负责校理竹简成《汲冢书》，其中包括《竹书纪年》、《穆天子传》等。

• 荀勖亦善画画，据说锺会曾经伪作荀勖书信去骗荀勖母亲以得宝剑，荀勖就在锺会到来前于墙壁上画上锺会父祖的样子。锺会甫进门就看见画像，感到愧疚，于是不再进去了。谢赫曾说：「荀与张墨同品。在第一品卫协下、顾骏之上。」作品有《大列女图》、《小列女图》。晋史道硕及南朝宋时的王微都从荀勖及卫协的画学习。

性格特徵

• 荀勖依附贾充，为让贾充留在朝中保持势力而以虚言让司马衷娶贾南风，后又假称司马衷有德行、让暴虐的贾南风继续留在储君身边，成为将来的皇后等，都受到当时的人的非议。

• 荀勖性格慎密，而他任中书监，掌管机密。每有诏令大事时，即使已经宣布，荀勖都不发一言，不想让人知道自己有份参与。

• 荀勖有才思，可以看出君主的心思，不会犯颜直谏，故此一直都得到司马炎的宠信，没有减退过。

• 荀勖常与阮咸讨论音律，自叹弗如，由此嫉恨在心，藉故迁阮咸为始平太守，故后人称阮咸为阮始平。

食辨劳薪

• 荀勖有卓越的识见。有一次荀勖与司马炎和其他人一起吃饭，荀勖说这是劳薪（老旧的木头）煮的饭，其他人都不信，而司马炎问煮饭的人，那人说是木头车老旧的车脚所烧的，事后各人都佩服他的识见。这亦是成语「食辨劳薪」的典故。

评论

• 《晋书》史臣曰：公曾，慈明之孙，景倩，文若之子，践隆堂而高视，齐逸轨而长骛。孝敬足以承视，周慎足以事主，刊姬公之旧典，采萧相之遗法。然而援朱均以贰极，煽褒阎而偶震。虽废兴有在，隆替靡常，稽之人事，乃二荀之力也。至于斗粟兴谣，逾里成咏，勖之阶祸，又巳甚焉。

• 《晋书》赞：安阳（即荀勖）英英，匪懈其职。倾齐附鲁，是为蝥贼。

• 锺繇：此儿当及其曾祖（荀爽）。

• 司马炎：勖明哲聪达，经识天序，有佐命之，兼博洽之才。久典内任，著勋弘茂，询事考言，谋犹允诚。

• 《晋书·律历志上》史臣按：勖于千载之外，推百代之法，度数既宜，声韵又契，可谓切密，信而有徵也。

家庭

曾祖父

• 荀爽，东汉司空。与他七位兄弟并称「荀氏八龙」。

祖父

• 荀棐，东汉射声校尉。

父亲

• 荀肸

母亲

• 钟氏 （父锺繇, 异母弟 锺会）

子女

• 荀连，长子，早逝

• 荀辑，嗣子，官至卫尉

• 荀藩，官至司空

• 荀组，官至太尉，领豫州刺史，后渡过长江到东晋，又任太尉，领太子太保

• 荀氏，嫁给武统

• 荀氏，嫁吴王司马晏，生晋愍帝司马邺

孙儿

• 荀畯，荀辑子，嗣子

• 荀绰，荀辑子，西晋司空从事中郎，后任石勒参军

• 荀邃，荀藩子，西晋时拜散骑常侍，东晋苏峻之乱时与王导等于石头城侍奉晋成帝，战后获赠金紫光禄大夫

• 荀闓，东晋官至御史中丞、侍中、尚书

• 荀奕，东晋官至散骑常侍、侍中

曾孙

• 荀识，荀畯弟弟息子，因荀畯无子而为嗣子

• 荀汪，荀邃之子

• 荀达，荀闓之子

Family background and early life

Xun Xu was born in the eminent Xun family, whose ancestral home was in Yingyin County (颍阴县), Yingchuan Commandery (颖川郡), which is in present-day Xuchang, Henan. His great-grandfather, Xun Shuang, served as the Minister of Works during the Eastern Han dynasty. His grandfather, Xun Fei (荀棐), served as Colonel of Trainee Archers (射声校尉).

Xun Xu's father, Xun Xi (荀肸), died early, so Xun Xu was raised by his maternal granduncle Zhong Yao and the Zhong family. Zhong Yao served as the Grand Tutor (太傅) in the imperial court of the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period after the end of the Eastern Han dynasty. As a child, Xun Xu was a fast learner and could already write essays when he was only 10. Zhong Yao once remarked that Xun Xu would grow up to become like his great-grandfather Xun Shuang.

Among Xun Xu's relatives, the more notable ones were Xun Yu, Xun Yue and Xun You. Xun Yu and Xun Yue were Xun Xu's second cousins twice removed while Xun You was Xun Xu's third cousin once removed. Xun Yu and Xun You were influential statesmen of the late Eastern Han dynasty and advisers to the warlord Cao Cao, who laid the foundation for the state of Wei during the Three Kingdoms period. Xun Yue was an official, historian and Confucian scholar of the late Eastern Han dynasty.

Service under the Cao Wei state

By the time Xun Xu reached adulthood, he was already a learned and knowledgeable young man. He was interested in government and politics so he started his career as an assistant to Cao Shuang, a general serving as regent to Cao Fang, the third emperor of Wei. He was subsequently reassigned to be a communications secretary in the palace secretariat. In 249, Cao Shuang was executed after losing power in a coup launched by his co-regent, Sima Yi. None of Cao Shuang's former aides dared to collect his remains and arrange a funeral for him because they were afraid of being implicated. Xun Xu stepped up, held a funeral for Cao Shuang, and inspired others to follow him.

Xun Xu later became the Prefect of Anyang County (安阳县) and an assistant to the General of Agile Cavalry. During his tenure in Anyang County, Xun Xu gained so much respect and love from the local residents that they even built a shrine to honour him. He was subsequently held the following appointments: Judge under the Minister of Justice (廷尉正), military adviser to the regent Sima Zhao, official in the Hall of Records (记室). He was also ennobled as a Secondary Marquis (关内侯).

In 260, the fourth Wei emperor, Cao Mao, attempted a coup to seize back power from the regent, Sima Zhao, who had been monopolising state power since 255. Sima Zhao's younger brother, Sima Gan, heard of the coup and tried to enter the palace to help his brother. However, he was denied entry by Sun You (孙佑), an officer guarding the main gate, so he had to enter the palace through another gate. When Sima Zhao found out why Sima Gan showed up late, he wanted to execute Sun You and his family. However, Xun Xu advised him against it by pointing out that it would be unfair and unjust to punish Sun You's family as well. Sima Zhao heeded Xun Xu's advice and punished Sun You only, by demoting him to the status of a commoner.

Around the same time, Lu Yi (路遗), a cavalry officer, requested permission from Sima Zhao to infiltrate Wei's rival state, Shu Han, and assassinate Shu's leaders. Xun Xu advised Sima Zhao against using assassination because he believed that defeating Shu forces in battle was a better way of convincing the people of Shu to surrender and for Sima Zhao to gain greater prestige. Sima Zhao praised Xun Xu for his sound advice.

In 264, the Wei general Zhong Hui started a rebellion against Sima Zhao after leading Wei forces to conquer Shu. At the time, Sima Zhao only heard rumours about the rebellion and had no concrete evidence yet. As he had all along treated Zhong Hui well, he was reluctant to believe that Zhong would rebel against him. After Xun Xu cautioned him against trusting Zhong Hui, Sima Zhao led his forces to garrison at Chang'an as a precautionary measure. Guo Yi (郭奕) and Wang Shen (王深) urged Sima Zhao to banish Xun Xu because they feared that he would side with Zhong Hui, given that he was raised by the Zhong family (Zhong Hui was Zhong Yao's son). However, Sima Zhao ignored them and continued to treat Xun Xu as he did before, and even allowed Xun Xu to ride in the same carriage as him. Previously, when Sima Zhao ordered Zhong Hui to lead Wei forces to conquer Shu, Xun Xu had nominated Wei Guan to supervise the campaign. Later, Wei Guan played a huge role in suppressing Zhong Hui's rebellion. After Shu had been pacified, Xun Xu followed Sima Zhao back to the Wei capital, Luoyang, where he, Pei Xiu and Yang Hu were put in charge of the privy council.

After eliminating Shu, Sima Zhao planned to conquer Wei's other rival state, Eastern Wu, so he sent an emissary to pass a letter to the Wu emperor, Sun Hao. Sima Zhao had previously ordered his subordinates to draft the letter to Sun Hao. Among the numerous drafts he read, he eventually chose the one written by Xun Xu. Sun Hao agreed to make peace with Wei after reading the letter. Sima Zhao remarked that Xun Xu's letter had the power equivalent to that of an army of 100,000. In mid 264, the fifth Wei emperor, Cao Huan, conferred Sima Zhao the title of a vassal king, "King of Jin" (晋王). Xun Xu was appointed as a Palace Attendant (侍中), and enfeoffed as the Marquis of Anyang (安阳侯) and given 1,000 taxable households for his marquisate.

Overview of service under the Jin dynasty

Following Sima Zhao's death in September 265, in February 266 the Wei emperor Cao Huan abdicated his throne to Sima Zhao's son, Sima Yan, who established the Jin dynasty to replace Wei. After Sima Yan was enthroned and became historically known as Emperor Wu, he enfeoffed Xun Xu as the Duke of Jibei Commandery (济北郡公). However, Xun Xu declined the enfeoffment after seeing that Yang Hu also declined his. However, he still remained as a marquis under the new title "Marquis of Jibei" (济北侯). Xun Xu was then concurrently appointed as Supervisor of the Palace Writers (中书监), Palace Attendant (侍中), and zhuzuo (著作; senior writer). The emperor also tasked him and Jia Chong with drafting the laws of the Jin dynasty.

In the early Xianning era (275–280), Emperor Wu named Xun Xu, Shi Bao and others as the pioneers of the Jin dynasty and included them among those honoured in the Jin dynasty's ancestral temple. Around 280, when Wang Jun requested permission to lead an army to conquer Eastern Wu (the last of the Three Kingdoms), Xun Xu and Jia Chong strongly objected but Emperor Wu ignored them and ordered Wang Jun and others to lead Jin forces on an invasion of Wu. The invasion turned out successful and led to the reunification of China under the Jin dynasty. When Emperor Wu assessed Xun Xu's contributions in helping him draft imperial edicts, he rewarded Xun Xu by enfeoffing one of his sons as a village marquis with 1,000 taxable households in his marquisate and awarding him 1,000 rolls of silk. The emperor also enfeoffed Xun Xu's grandson, Xun Xian (荀显), as the Marquis of Yingyang Village (颍阳亭侯).

Around the time, there was much discussion in the imperial court over the issue of restoring the nobles to their fiefs and allowing them to govern from their respective fiefs. When Emperor Wu sought his opinion, Xun Xu disapproved because he believed that since the nobles also held gubernatorial appointments, they might neglect their original jurisdictions once they return to their respective fiefs. He also pointed out the possible complications such as having to subdivide the fiefs into commanderies and counties, as well as the risk of making people unhappy since the subdividing would require relocating residents from one area to another. He further pointed out that they would need to reassign troops from the borders and place them under decentralised command in the various fiefs. When Emperor Wu asked Xun Xu to reconsider his views, Xun Xu explained further that the best course of action was to maintain the status quo, since the redrawing of boundaries between the fiefs might lead to resentment and potential unrest if it was not carefully managed. He also pointed out that there were far more important issues that required immediate attention, so they should focus on those first. Emperor Wu thought that Xun Xu's advice was appropriate and heeded it.

Around the time, the imperial court was discussing a proposal to retrench about half the number of officials in commanderies and counties to free up labour for agricultural works. Xun Xu cited examples from the Han dynasty and gave a long explanation on why he believed that the best solution was to reduce the layers of bureaucracy in the administration. He pointed out how doing so could help to discourage officials from corrupt behaviour, improve administrative efficiency, and build up greater social trust among the masses. He often applied such critical analysis in assessing the costs and benefits of government policies.

In the Taikang era (280–289), Emperor Wu issued an imperial edict to praise Xun Xu for his talents and contributions, and said that he was capable of assuming greater responsibilities. He then appointed Xun Xu as a Household Counsellor (光禄大夫) to be treated like one of the Three Ducal Ministers, as well as allowing Xun Xu to have his own administrative office, in addition to his existing appointments as Supervisor of the Palace Writers (中书监) and Palace Attendant (侍中). Around the time, Jia Chong and Li Yin were already dead and the position of Crown Prince's Grand Tutor (太子太傅) was vacant. Xun Xu wrote a memorial to Emperor Wu, nominating Yang Yao to be the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor, and either Wei Guan or Shan Tao to be the new Minister over the Masses. Emperor Wu accepted his suggestions.

In the autumn of the following year, heavy flooding occurred in many commanderies, with Yan Province being the worst hit. Xun Xu wrote a memorial to Emperor Wu and suggested that he create the office of a dushui shizhe (都水使者; an official in charge of waterworks) to deal with floods in the future. Later, on a separate occasion, he appointed his subordinates Yin Xian (伊羡) and Zhao Xian (赵咸) as Members of the Retinue (舍人) and tasked them with drafting legislation. When Emperor Wu asked him why he did so, Xun Xu explained the importance of delegating responsibilities to subordinates. He also pointed out why he believed it was redundant to have officials focusing on drafting legislation only since their duties overlap with those of other officials, so it was better to delegate such additional responsibilities to the latter group.

Xun Xu was careful and cautious in his behaviour. Whenever policy changes were announced, if he played a role in lobbying for those changes, he would keep quiet about his involvement. Xun Liang (荀良), one of his younger relatives, advised him to let others know the good deeds he did so that he would gain greater respect. Wu Tong (武统), his son-in-law, also urged him to attract people to support him. However, Xun Xu refused to listen to them and he warned his sons against forming their own political clouts and forgetting their place as subjects of the emperor. Later, Emperor Wu promoted Xun Xu to be the Prefect of the Masters of Writing (尚书令).

Xun Xu served as the Supervisor of the Palace Writers for a long time and had access to state secrets. After he was reassigned to be the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, he felt dissatisfied and unhappy. When someone congratulated on his new appointment, he expressed his anger over losing his previous appointment. When he was serving as the Prefect of the Masters of Writing, he evaluated his subordinates based on their performance and dismissed those who failed to live up to his expectations. Emperor Wu once told Xun Xu that he hoped that Xun Xu would learn from Xun Yu and Xun You by promoting deserving officials and dismissing corrupt officials. A few months after Xun Xu assumed his new appointment, his mother died so he resigned and wanted to go home for filial mourning. However, Emperor Wu denied him permission and sent Zhou Hui (周恢) to announce an imperial edict ordering him to return to his job.

Association with Jia Chong, Jia Nanfeng and Sima Zhong

When Emperor Wu wanted to reassign Jia Chong to guard the Guanzhong region, Xun Xu told his colleague Feng Dan that their status in the imperial court depended on Jia Chong's presence so they should try to stop the emperor from sending Jia Chong out of the imperial capital, Luoyang. Xun Xu thought of persuading Emperor Wu to arrange a marriage between Sima Zhong, the crown prince, and Jia Chong's daughter, Jia Nanfeng. In this way, Jia Chong, as the crown prince's father-in-law, would have to remain in Luoyang. Xun Xu and Feng Dan then sang praises of Jia Chong's daughter in front of Emperor Wu and managed to convince him to arrange the marriage. Many officials were disgusted by Xun Xu's fawning behaviour and called him a sycophant.

Emperor Wu knew that Sima Zhong had developmental disability so he became worried that his son would bring disaster upon the Jin dynasty. He ordered Xun Xu and He Jiao to observe and evaluate Sima Zhong. Xun Xu praised Sima Zhong for being a virtuous crown prince, while He Jiao said that Sima Zhong was the same as before. He Jiao became respected for being honest about Sima Zhong, whereas Xun Xu was derided for lying in order to please the emperor.

In another incident, when Emperor Wu wanted to depose Jia Nanfeng from the position of crown prince's consort, Xun Xu and Feng Dan immediately went to plead with the emperor to reconsider his decision and eventually succeeded in dissuading him from deposing Jia Nanfeng. Many people believed that Xun Xu could potentially bring about the Jin dynasty's downfall and compared him unfavourably to Sun Zi and Liu Fang, who were seen as having caused the downfall of Wei.

Other contributions and anecdotes

Xun Xu was in charge of music arrangement. Some of the pieces he arranged became widespread. He once heard the sound of a cowbell ringing and thought of using cowbells as an instrument to fine tune musical pieces.

When Xun Xu was serving as mishujian (秘书监; a supervising secretary), Emperor Wu also tasked him and Zhang Hua with arranging the imperial library's collection into a catalogue like Liu Xiang's Bielu (别录). When old bamboo scrolls were discovered in an ancient tomb in Ji Commandery (汲郡) in 279, Emperor Wu tasked Xun Xu with copying, organising and compiling them. Xun Xu did so and created a book, Zhongjing (中经), which was then added to the imperial library's collection.

Xun Xu set up a school for students to learn calligraphy in the styles of Zhong Yao and Hu Wujing.

In one instance, Xun Xu was dining beside Emperor Wu when he told everyone that the food they were eating was cooked with fire created from wood that has undergone much "hardship". Everyone did not believe him, so the emperor summoned the chef and asked him. The chef said that he used wood from the wheels of an old carriage to start the fire, hence Xun Xu was right. They were impressed with his intelligence.

Death and appraisal

Xun Xu died in 289 during the Taikang era (280–289) of Emperor Wu's reign. The emperor granted him the posthumous appointment of Minister over the Masses and the posthumous title "Marquis Cheng" (成侯), in addition to awarding his family some ceramics from the imperial palace's collection, a set of official robes, 500,000 coins and 100 rolls of silk. He also sent an Imperial Secretary (御史) as his personal representative to attend Xun Xu's funeral.

Xun Xu served in the privy council and was in charge of state secrets for a long time. He was not only a talented writer, but also a deep thinker who understood very well his place as a subject of his lord. He knew what his lord expected of him and adapted his behaviour accordingly to please his lord. That was why he managed to remain in Emperor Wu's favour and live a comfortable life until his death.

Family

Xun Xu had ten sons. Among them, the notable ones were Xun Ji (荀辑), Xun Fan (荀籓) and Xun Zu (荀组). Xun Ji inherited his father's marquis title and served in the Jin government, with his highest appointment being Minister of the Guards (卫尉). He was honoured with the posthumous title "Marquis Jian" (简侯) after his death. His son, Xun Jun (荀畯), succeeded him and was posthumously honoured as "Marquis Lie" (烈侯). As Xun Jun had no son to succeed him, his marquis title was passed on to his nephew, Xun Shi (荀识).

Xun Ji had another son, Xun Chuo (荀绰), whose courtesy name was Yanshu (彦舒). Xun Chuo was famous for his literary talent and wrote 15 chapters of the Later Book of Jin (晋后书). Towards the end of the Yongjia era (307–313) in Emperor Huai's reign, he served as an Assistant Palace Gentleman (从事中郎) to the Minister of Works. He was captured by Shi Le when the latter rebelled against the Jin dynasty and became Shi Le's military adviser.

Xun Xu had at least one daughter, who married Wu Tong (武统).

One of Xun Xu's grandsons, Xun Xian (荀显), was enfeoffed by Emperor Wu as the Marquis of Yingyang Village (颍阳亭侯).